Credit Scores Could Rise With FICO’s New Model - New York Times - "Because of the new scoring model, individuals with a median score of 711 — and an otherwise clean credit history, except for unpaid medical debts — may see their FICO score rise by 25 points."

How Uber Explains Our Economic Moment - HBR Blogs (Andrew McAfee) - "My driver said he’d been with Uber ever since he’d graduated from his master’s program in IT project management last year. This profession was, according to him, going through hard times."

How Bitcoin Went Legit - Management Today (UK) - "Charlotte Bowyer, head of digital policy at think tank the Adam Smith Institute, says the signs are there that the Bitcoin community is beginning to get serious about professionalising the currency..."

Intuit Acquires UK-Based Payroll Service PaySuite - TechCrunch - "PaySuite is one of the larger providers of payroll software in the U.K. The company says that the partnership will help them to continue development for “small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers across the U.K. and around the world.”"

Gemalto Buys SafeNet for $890 Million - Wall St. Journal - "Gemalto said Friday that U.S.-based SafeNet's network data protection offering, which includes cryptographic systems used in cloud-based security, was a good fit with its authentication technology."

Top UK Payments Body Weighs in on Bitcoin’s Future - CoinDesk - “As shopping habits are increasingly moving across borders and continents, it seems certain that there will be real opportunities for virtual currency providers who are outside of traditional domestic banking systems.”

5 Lessons Bankers Can Learn From WhatsApp - Bank Marketing Strategy (Jim Marous) - "The question is whether the banking industry can learn from these lessons and move away from tradition, developing products and services that reflect the digital transformation of today's mobile consumer."

On the Wires:

BitPay Sponsors the LAUNCH Hackathon - "To encourage more development of open-source tools that benefit everybody in the bitcoin space, BitPay is offering developers of LAUNCH an additional financial incentive for projects that utilize BitPay’s Bitcoin Payment Gateway API or the open source library Bitcore."

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

Mapping Bitcoin - New York Times Bits Blog - "One striking thing about the map: Bitcoin is increasingly a Chinese craze."

Bitcoin: More than Money - Reason.com (Jerry Brito) - "At its core, Bitcoin is a completely decentralized ledger system. It can be thought of as a massive online version of an accountant's book in which transactions are recorded by deducting from one account and adding to another."

Buying Your Holiday Gifts With Bitcoin AVC.com (Fred Wilson) - "When the citizens of the world will be able to buy and sell from each other and from retailers of all shapes and sizes via Bitcoin, then we will have truly realized the potential of a global digital currency."

Authorities See Worth of Bitcoin - Wall St. Journal - "Senior U.S. law-enforcement and regulatory officials said they see benefits in digital forms of money and are making progress in tackling its risks."

This Senate hearing is a Bitcoin lovefest - Washington Post - "All three Obama administration officials expressed concern about Bitcoin being used for illicit uses. But they also stressed that Bitcoin has important legitimate uses and that regulators need to be careful not to stifle innovation in virtual currencies."

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

EMV: America, What Took You So Long? - Emerging Payments Strategies (FIS) - "So why has the U.S. not embraced EMV sooner? Part of the reason is because our fraud problem, while significant, has typically been among the lowest rates in the world among highly developed economically mature countries."

What Android's KitKat means for NFC - Mobile Payments Today (Cherian Abraham) - "HCE means a lot more for private label issuers — who have a very inspired base of merchants looking to bridge the gap between private label cards and mobile — and now there is an alternative to clumsy, costly and complex orchestrations for provisioning cards."

The power of love - TMG Blog - "When I switched credit cards recently, I started feeling love the first time I logged into my personal account page. I noticed that things I had purchased only minutes before were already listed, which was something I’d never seen with my previous provider."

All holds barred: Square obliterates deposit limits - "Square, the company making commerce easy for everyone, has eliminated holds and deposit limits on manually entered transactions in the U.S. Funds from both swiped and non-swiped payments will be deposited in merchants’ bank accounts within 1-2 business days..."

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

Xerox Glitch Halts Food-Stamp Use - Wall St. Journal - "Shoppers in 17 states were unable to use food stamps and other government aid through debit-style electronic benefits cards for more than 10 hours on Saturday..."

Why did we create Wisely? - Wisely Blog - "At Wisely, we’re building the most credible search engine for the physical world, powered by payment data. Why is it the most credible? Because, Wisely brings transparency to how people spend money."

Not Ready to Adopt Mobile Payments? You're Not Alone - BusinessNewsDaily - "The technology to accept payments via mobile devices is ripe and ready, but a recent industry study shows that it will take at least two more years for mobile payments to truly become mainstream."

The Rise of PayPal as a Major Payments Player - Bank Marketing Strategy - "While some of the 'innovation' at PayPal may not seem new or disruptive (such as the use of QR codes), the ability to quickly build scale by using the existing payments infrastructure may be the key to PayPal's success."

Mint Wireless to launch local version of US payments start-up Square - Financial Review (Australia) - "But where Square has built its own user base by selling direct to businesses, Mr Teoh told The Australian Financial Review that Australia’s heavy regulations and existing market structure required them to work through the banks and telcos."

Unbreakable encryption comes to the U.S. - CNNMoney - "As revelations about the depth and breadth of the NSA's digital eavesdropping program continue to come to light, Ohio-based Battelle Memorial Institute is rolling out a new kind of network encryption designed to be virtually un-hackable -- not only now, but in the future."

Leading Economist Predicts a Bitcoin Backlash - Mashable - "Simon Johnson, a professor of entrepreneurship at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, expects Bitcoin to face political pressure and aggressive lobbying from big banks because of its disruptive nature."

Glenbrook's Elizabeth McQuerry will be speaking at this year's NACHA Global Payments Forum on October 17-18 in New York City. She'll be speaking on the topic "Mobile Payments, Interoperability & Faster Funds Transfer".

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

Four reasons why Apple’s Passbook is growing on retailers - GigaOm - "...nearly 10 months since Passbook’s launch, CashStar released data claiming that about one-third of all digital gift cards that are sent to someone are opened on a smartphone, two-thirds of which are iOS 6 devices."

TaxiRadar™ Released as First Mobile Smart Meter System in DC - "For passengers, the TaxiRadar E-hail smart phone app allows users to see the GPS location of available taxis in real-time and to hail one with one-touch. The taxi “sees” the users’ location and the user continuously “sees” the taxi’s location as it approaches."

Summer Camp! - A special summer session of our popular Payments Boot Camp - in Half Moon Bay on August 6th and 7th... Also, an optional half day course on Data In Payments - August 8th, also in Half Moon Bay. Join Carol, Scott and Russ for lively, interactive sessions - register now!

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

Banks Battle Telcos for Cash in South African Townships - Bloomberg BusinessWeek - "Mobile-phone payment services like M-Pesa have blossomed in east Africa, while in South Africa they have struggled because of regulation and a lack of a network to deposit and withdraw cash…"

Note: Headline News is compiled by Glenbrook Partners. Throughout the day, as we spot interesting developments, this post is updated. Find something interesting to share? Tell us about it: gotnews@paymentsnews.com!

Bank innovation: this time there's commitment - Financial Services Club Blog - "Are banks truly committed to innovate? Will they invest without a business case? Will they allow failure? Will they let the innovation cannibalise the existing business model?"

Wallet Wars – Coming to a Mobile Near You Soon - Gemalto Telecom Blog - "Consumers want help managing their lives; banks, retailers and mobile network operators want customer loyalty; it’s down to all of us to work together, securely, to offer the best possible consumer experience for mobile wallets."

Mobile Commerce Isn’t Just About Payments - ZDnet UK - "When consumers get added value from their purchase transactions, their mobile phones become not only their conduit into the digital world, but also a kind of concierge, simplifying their lives."

CBA's clever Kaching ambitions - Business Spectator - "By enabling so many types of payment through a mobile phone, Commonwealth Bank is teaching its customers that if they want to make a payment – in any situation – they should use the Kaching app."

Gemalto announced that it closed the acquisition of Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB ("IPX") with the exception of operations in USA, from Ericsson.

"Acquiring IPX is a natural step for us in supporting the ramp up of MNO and mobile service providers related payment and identity services," said Olivier Piou, CEO of Gemalto. "IPX's positioning, as an international player built on Ericsson advanced technology, is really a perfect fit with Gemalto".

As part of the transaction, Gemalto is also acquiring Ericsson's Trusted Service Manager (TSM) activity. IPX will join Gemalto's Software & Services business line in the Mobile Communications segment.

MoneyGram and Gemalto have announced a global agreement to provide MoneyGram services over Gemalto’s LinqUs Mobile Money solution.

MoneyGram’s money transfer platform will be integrated with Gemalto’s LinqUs mobile payment platform solution, allowing customers to send international transfers from a mobile phone to one of MoneyGram’s 284,000 locations worldwide or receive transfers directly to their mobile wallet. Gemalto Mobile Financial Services clients, including banks and mobile operators, will be able to connect directly to MoneyGram’s global network and offer convenient and secure mobile remittance services.

Gemalto has announced its in-branch Dexxis EMV instant issuance card solution for U.S. banks, designed to "streamline and accelerate EMV migration. Dexxis instant issuance allows banks to immediately issue and activate initial and replacement cards directly at the physical bank branch location, rather than sending personalized cards to end users via postal mail."

Gemalto has announced the world’s first UICC-embedded software application compliant with the new MasterCard payment specification designed for mobile NFC.

This major breakthrough paves the way for mass commercial rollouts of NFC payment across the world. In the UK, Gemalto is already partnering with a global, first-tier financial institution and a world leading mobile operator, to implement the new MasterCard certified mobile payment application and carry out the solution’s first mass commercial roll out.

Gemalto has announced that "NetOne, a leading network operator in Zimbabwe, is deploying Gemalto’s LinqUs solution for Mobile Money Transfer, which comprises of the server, user application, as well as system integration services. The offer, being marketed as the OneWallet service, works on 100% of the handsets and will enable all NetOne subscribers to perform secure and convenient money transfer using their mobile phone. In particular, it provides the unbanked with access to secure banking services."

Gemalto has announced a new credit card technology that allows banks to provide a single card that delivers both payment and increased security for online transactions.

The card’s online secure password feature is activated by pressing a button on the face of the card. A one-time code is digitally generated and displayed. The card becomes a second factor of authentication, allowing the user to enter this unique and non-reusable numeric code on a Web page, in addition to their user name and password.

The new Gemalto Ezio product is immediately available in the United States.

VeriFone has announced its PAYware Merchant managed service is now available across Europe. The recently announced strategic partnership with Gemalto "completes VeriFone’s pan-European sales and distribution network and makes a continental payment gateway service feasible." PAYware Merchant is a bank-certified, hosted payment solution for large retailers, fuel organizations and hospitality companies.

VeriFone and Gemalto have announced a comprehensive strategic partnership to jointly pursue new chip card solutions based on the global EMV payment standard. The two companies are also in exclusive discussions for VeriFone to acquire Gemalto's point of sale (POS) solutions business. As part of the partnership, Gemalto will also be the preferred supplier of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) wireless modules and related solutions for VeriFone payment systems.

Seven players in the Near Field Communication (NFC) ecosystem, Ericsson, Gemalto, NXP, Oberthur Technologies, STMicroelectronics, Venyon, and ViVOtech have announced they are forming a MIFARE4Mobile Industry Group that will "enable its members to collaborate and work together to standardize and advance the uniform management of MIFARE™ applications on NFC-enabled secure elements, such as SIM cards, and mobile phones."
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Gemalto has announced it has been selected by the United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) to deliver the first U.S. issued, globally compliant microprocessor payment card. According to the company, "UNFCU recognized the need of their members, who reside and frequently travel to more than 210 countries and territories, to have a more convenient and secure payment option when traveling internationally. Partnering with Gemalto, UNFCU will be able to provide a globally compliant Europay MasterCard Visa (EMV) standard-based Dynamic Data Authentication (DDA) contact and contactless dual interface card that can be used anytime – anywhere their members travel. UNFCU anticipates introducing the program in the second half of 2010."
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Gemalto has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Todos AB from investors led by 6AP, a fund belonging to the Swedish National Pension system. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and employing 80 people worldwide, Todos AB is a provider of strong authentication solutions for internet banking.
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Gemalto has introduced the World Traveler program, a globally accepted dual interface EMV payment microprocessor card and complete issuance service for U.S. banks and card issuers. According to the company: "With most countries around the world moving to EMV-based payment for greater security, U.S. travelers are increasingly having trouble using magnetic stripe bankcards abroad, especially in offline applications like unattended ticketing/payment kiosks. Gemalto’s new World Traveler program allows any U.S. issuer to provide cards to their customers in under two months, ensuring secure and hassle-free payments while traveling internationally and at home."
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Gemalto has announced that it has acquired Valimo Wireless, a mobile authentication company based in Helsinki, Finland. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

According to Gemalto, "Valimo has pioneered the use of two-channel, two-factor authentication based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), combining an over the air platform (OTA) with a software client in the SIM to generate a legally binding electronic signature, any time, any place. Valimo enables mobile phone users to securely authenticate themselves, digitally sign documents and confirm legally binding transactions simply by entering a self-chosen passphrase or a PIN code. Valimo Mobile ID solution facilitates secure online banking, mobile payments, governmental services, electronic and mobile commerce, and identity and access rights management for enterprise applications."
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Gemalto has launched the world’s first bio-sourced degradable smart cards. According to the company, "the card body is made from renewable material, is easily recyclable and compostable, and can be incinerated without emissions of toxic fumes. Additionally, Gemalto offers packaging made from recycled paper and vegetable inks that significantly reduce the product’s environmental impact. Gemalto’s bio-sourced smart cards will be ready for mass production in the first quarter of 2010."
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